Villanova University Named by Kiplinger’s as one of Nation’s “Best Values in Private Colleges”

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has once again recognized Villanova University in its ranking of the best values in private colleges and universities. This year’s list includes the top 200 private colleges – 100 private universities and 100 liberal arts colleges – in the United States that combine outstanding education with economic value. Villanova received a #38 ranking among private universities.

Kiplinger’s begins its ranking process with data from nearly 600 private institutions, and then pares it down to yield the list of 200 winners. The rankings measure academic quality and affordability; quality accounts for 56.25%, and cost factors account for 43.75%. To determine each school’s value, Kiplinger’s analyzes five weighted-categories in order to best assess quality and affordability: Cost and Financial Aid (31.25%), Competitiveness (25%), Graduation Rates (18.75%), Academic Support (12.5%), and Student Indebtedness (12.5%). Factors counted in the Competitiveness category included admission rates, as well as SAT and ACT scores. Factors in the Academic Support category included small classes, individual attention and freshman retention rate.

Kiplinger’s 2014 “Best Values in Private Colleges” ranking is published online and will also appear in the December issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, which hits newsstands on Nov. 5. Click here to learn more about Kiplinger’s “Best Value in Private Colleges” ranking.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's five colleges – the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing and the Villanova University School of Law. As students grow intellectually, Villanova prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. Click here for more information on Villanova University.

About Villanova

Villanova University was founded in 1842 by the Order of St. Augustine. To this day, Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition is the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University’s six colleges.